All street trees are inspected for pruning on a five-year cycle, organized by numbered quarter-section management units. During this cycle, young trees (less than 12 inches in diameter at breast height, or DBH) are pruned to enhance their structure and promote healthy growth as they mature. Additionally, mature trees (greater than 12 inches DBH) are assessed for pruning needs. Conditions such as structural defects, dead branches, and low-hanging branches over sidewalks, streets, or buildings are identified, and corrective pruning or tree removal is scheduled as necessary.
City residents are welcome to contact Forestry Services if they believe out-of-cycle pruning is needed for street trees adjacent to their residence or business. Common reasons for out-of-cycle pruning include low branches growing over the sidewalk and street, and noticing a defect such as a split, large cavity, or large deadwood. A trained arborist will inspect all requests for tree pruning and determine if out-of-cycle pruning is warranted. To request pruning service use ‘Click-for-Action’ or call (414) 286-CITY (2489).
A primary goal of Forestry Services is to ensure the health and vitality of all street trees throughout the city, maximizing the benefits these trees provide. To achieve this, our policy is to remove only those trees that are dead, pose a hazard, or have been compromised due to construction-related activities. We actively monitors the condition of the street tree population through various methods, including pruning and inspection cycles, annual surveys, and assessments following extreme weather events that may cause tree damage. We also value input from our residents; if you suspect a street tree is hazardous, dead, leaning, or split, please request service by using ‘Click-for-Action’ or call (414) 286-CITY (2489).
Following tree removal, Forestry will schedule stump grinding and site restoration activities to prepare the area for replanting. A small crew will first grind the stump, followed by a site restoration crew several days to a week later. The restoration crew will remove the stump chips, apply and grade new topsoil, and sow high-quality grass seed in the area. It is crucial for residents to water the grass seed daily until it germinates and becomes established. After the first mowing, watering can be reduced to 1 to 2 times a week, depending on weather conditions.
To ensure a high stocking level and maximize the benefits of the tree canopy, Forestry Services strives to replace and replant trees whenever possible. A trained arborist will inspect all potential planting sites to assess their suitability for new trees, selecting the best tree for each location. However, site restrictions such as utility conflicts, nearby private trees, and sight line visibility issues may prevent a tree from being planted. If you have had a new tree planted adjacent to your residence in the past year; please help by watering the tree with 5-10 gallons per week during the growing season. If you have questions regarding tree planting please file a service request using ‘Click-for-Action’ or call (414) 286-CITY (2489).